LEX RECORDS News

Triathalon's new album Spin is cavernous, warm to the touch — aglow in
Rhodes pianos, Wurlitzers, and fuzzed out guitars.
The New York based trio recorded Spin live, with mixing by Gabe Wax
(Adrianne Lenker, Fleet Foxes) and mastering by Zeroh (Pink Siifu,
Eyedress)
It was written, produced and recorded by the band themselves. The album is an
inherently transformative record — the product of years of work, both on the self
and as a collective, a band. Spin is cavernous, warm to the touch, aglow in
Rhodes pianos, Wurlitzers, and fuzzed out guitars.
Triathalon will hit the road on a month- long North American tour at the end of
August with stops in 27 cities including Los Angeles, Brooklyn, Chicago,
Philadelphia and more.
Forming in Savannah, the band—which began as the solo project of Adam Intrator
before Chad Chilton and Hunter Jayne joined in 2011—relocated to New York City
after performing together for nearly a decade in Georgia. Their new music is a
snapshot of Triathalon's evolution and growth — tracing a journey of sonic selfreflection, of being lost in your thoughts and watching the world around you
change.
"brooding, romantic, lush — and deeply sensual" Billboard

Fly Anakin's debut studio album 'Frank' draws influence from the classic
R&B and Soul his dad played him as a child, showcasing a gift for
songwriting alongside the breathless raps he's become known for
Recorded at the same time as 'FlySiifu's', it features Pink Siifu on the DJ Harrison
produced 'Black Be The Source', as well as link ups with another Richmond hero
and Anakin mentor Nickelus F, and fellow Mutant Academy members Big Kahuna
OG and Henny L.O..
Beats by Madlib, Evidence, Jay Versace, DJ Harrison, Ohbliv, Foisey, Graymatter
and Like of Pac Div.
"A perfect display of Anakin's captivating lyricism and delivery... flexes the New
York-tinged ruggedness in his breakneck raps as he reflects on his past, present
and future." Paste.
Fly Anakin is a rapper from Richmond, Virginia, who was described by Madlib as
"one of the illest MCs", and has previously collaborated with Freddie Gibbs. He's
co-founder of the Richmond rap collective Mutant Academy.
"Anakin's detail isn't a skill that could just be picked up from studying the legends
of the genre, it's a gift." Pitchfork
Singles have received press suport so far from Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, FADER,
Hypebeast, Stereogum, Vibe and Okayplayer.Fly Anakin recently performed on
Benji B's BBC Radio 1 show, and guested on Mary Anne Hobbs' BBC 6Music show
and Ebro's Apple Music 1 show. US radio support on the singles from Peter
Rosenberg on Hot97, Sirius XM and NPR. Singles have been featured in playlists
by Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Dummy, Crack, Ryan Schreiber Pitchfork, Brooklyn
Vegan, Vinyl Me Please, Red Bull, Warp Records and Fool's Gold Records.
Fly Anakin will tour the UK and US this Spring in support of album release. In
November 2021 he performed a European tour alongside Pink Siifu, with dates
across the UK, France & the Netherlands, including Le Guess Who? Festival,
Utrecht.

With a back catalogue that spans half a dozen studio LPs as Boom Bip,
plus another two as one half of electronic pop duo Neon Neon, Bryan
Hollon has already made a name for himself as a Mercury prizenominated producer and multi-instrumentalist
Equally impressive are the credits to Warpaint drummer Stella Mozgawa's name;
she's contributed percussion to albums by Kurt Vile, Cate le Bon, Courtney
Barnett, Sharon Van Etten, and Kim Gordon, among others. But as improvisational
techno duo Belief, the pair make music that harkens back to '90s acts like LFO
and 808 State – artists that indelibly, but near-anonymously, altered club and rave
culture, mostly identifiable by clean, bold logos on 12" sleeves. Without being
derivative of the era, they add their own instincts and experiences to grace the
musical universe with new answers to the question: What Would Mark Bell Do?
Hollon met Mozgawa just after she joined Warpaint, when Boom Bip shared a
rehearsal space in Echo Park with the band. The two quickly bonded over a love
of early Warp Records, drum breaks, acid house, and Y2K- era rave flyers. They
swapped playlists and ideas when Mozgawa played drums for Neon Neon's 2013
West Coast tour, but due to busy schedules, it would be another three years
before they packed every piece of gear they collectively owned into Eric
Wareheim's Absolutely Studios for an initial jam session. Instinctively playing to
each other's strengths and whims – and recording the session to build on later –
allowed Mozgawa to explore a style of music she'd long considered a dark art,
and pushed Hollon, known for his meticulous planning in previous work, to be
more spontaneous.
It was all in good fun – early shows billed the pair as 'Beef' with a comedic wink
to its pulsating minimalism. But as the two began committing themselves to
finalizing and recording more soulful, enigmatic tracks, the reverent nature of
what they were doing began to emerge: while Belief pays homage to the pioneers
of techno, the project is born out of an oddly divine foresight Mozgawa and
Hollon share, the synergy of two devout tastemakers building a shrine to inner
peace and outward pleasure

Eyedress' fourth album 'Mulholland Drive' is the latest evolution of the
Filipino musician's unique sound
Following his 2020 breakthrough 'Let's Skip To The Wedding', which introduced
global hits 'Jealous' and 'Romantic Lover', the new record features collaborations
with some of his favourite artists - King Krule, Dam-FunK, Triathalon, Vex Ruffin
and more, while staying true to his vision."This album is about loving yourself and
your life" Eyedress.
Album art by Brain Dead.
Recent Eyedress highlights:
'Jealous' hit 240M streams across platforms.
'Romantic Lover' hit 60M streams across platforms.
#14 Rolling Stone's 'Trending 25' for 'Romantic Lover'.
#19 Rolling Stone's 'Breakthrough 25', featuring "the fastest-rising artists of the
month".
Radio support from from Phil Taggart on BBC R1, Jamz Supernova on 1Xtra,
Steve Lamacq Tom Ravenscroft & Gilles Peterson on 6Music, and BBC Asian
Network.
Press support from Pitchfork, Hypebeast, DIY, Dummy, FADER, Alternative Press,
Pigeons and Planes, and Crack.

FlySiifu is a new collaborative project by Pink Siifu & Fly Anakin. Their debut album, ‘FlySiifu’s’, unites two prolific rappers with infectious chemistry.
The album mirrors their musical community, as they welcome guests into FlySiifu’s record store, with appearances from Liv.e, Foushe , $ILKMONEY, and producers Madlib, Jay Versace, Ohbliv, Awhlee, Budgie, Playa Haze, Animoss and more.
“Fly Siifu has all of our attention. The pair sound as soothing as a day spent sitting on the porch with your grandparents. Fly Siifu have found something special.” PITCHFORK.

The album’s lead singles have caught the attention of Vince Staples, Danger Mouse, KEXP, Hot97, Colors, Pitchfork, FADER, Hypebeast and i-D. Pink Siifu is a Baltimore based MC, singer and producer, originally from Alabama, whose diverse output ranges from soulful rap to punk.
He’s collaborated with The Avalanches, Mndsgn, Teebs, Quelle Chris, Anna Wise & Maxo. His 2018 album ‘Ensley’ featured in Pitchfork’s Album’s Of The Year list. 2019’s ‘NEGRO’ was described by Pitchfork as “intense and riotous, tapping into the anger at the heart of Black America.” “One of the most intriguing musicians in Black music.” THE FADER. Fly Anakin is a rapper from Richmond, Virginia, who was described by Madlib as “one of the illest MCs”, and has previously collaborated with Freddie Gibbs. He’s co-founder of the Richmond rap collective Mutant Academy. “Anakin’s detail isn’t a skill that could just be picked up from studying the legends of the genre, it’s a gift.” PITCHFORK

The $mokebreak EP follows Pink Siifu & Fly Anakin's critically acclaimed 2020 debut album FlySiifu's and further explores the musical community they've assembled around their imagined FlySiifu's record store.
Now FlySiifu welcome their friends Fousheé, Chuck Strangers, ZelooperZ, MAVI, YUNGMORPHEUS, Koncept Jack$on, Big Kahuna OG, 3wayslim and Peso Gordon into the store and onto the mic, with beats provided by Black Noi$e, Ahwlee, Budgie, Ohbliv, Graymatter, ewonee, and iiye.
Don't miss the video for their posse cut 'Tha Divide', featuring ZelooperZ, MAVI, and Koncept Jack$on, shot by Elijah Maura on a cold night in NYC.



"a wild taste of what the two artists can create just by reaching into their inner circles" – SPIN

On paper, a full collaborative album from Doom and space age production from Jneiro Jarel

can't fail. In practice it's even better. Doom is in the form of his life here. JJ produced all the

tracks, Doom provided the bulk of the vocals and compiled the cut and paste skits. Doom

recorded the album while 'banished' from the States and back living in london. He references

British culture throughout the album, name dropping British institutions, and possibly being

the first emcee to reference My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. Jneiro recording the beats in the dirty

south, got into a UK state mind, and turned in heavy hip hop production that leans towards

grime, dubstep and British techno. The album will appeal to fans of classic Doom material.

JJ's tough, far out hip hop production will appeal to fans of Dilla, Flying Lotus and el-p. It also

features guest appearances from Beth Gibbons, Damon Albarn and Khujo (goodie mob).

Album artwork is by graffiti artist Steve Powers aka Espo.

JJ DOOM is the artist name for producer/vocalist Jneiro Jarel and British-born, mask-wearing maverick DOOM (AKA MF Doom).The nine track EP features tracks from the expanded Butter Edition of the duos debut album 'Key To The Kuffs' including DOOM collaborations with Clams Casino, BBNG, Del The Funky Homosapien, Beck, Thom Yorke & Johnny Greenwood. Originally released in 2014 as a limited edition picture disc, now available in 180g black vinyl.

"On paper, a full collaborative album from NYC's notorious rap villain DOOM and space age production from Jneiro Jarel can't fail. In practice it's even better. DOOM is in the form of his life here." Mojo
"No less quotable than he was in '99... heavy on the diabolical brainiac grifter guise that's fueled his post-KMD creativity for some 15 years, balancing knowledge and absurdity like a master." Pitchfork
"... it's poetry. The way he freeforms his verses and puts it all together, I don't think anyone else quite does it like that... GUV'NOR was my single of 2012. It's genius, that tune." Thom Yorke, Dazed

GILA is an electronic music producer from Denver, Colorado. His debut album, Energy Demonstration, blends bass-heavy, leftfield techno with detailed ambient textures, and showcases GILA’s impeccable production style.
Energy Demonstration - out 20th November on Lex Records - follows earlier, club-focused releases on XL Recordings, LuckyMe & Benji B’s Deviation. GILA, (pronounced “hee-la”) takes his name from the gila monster, the only venomous lizard native to the United States -- slow yet powerful with a potentially deadly bite, this colourful reptile possesses many of the same qualities as GILA’s music.
GILA started to make his mark as one half of rap duo, Gorgeous Children, before striking out on his own. As GILA, his signature, hard-edged sounds have been championed by Thom Yorke, Flying Lotus, Benji B, Jamz Supernova, and led to collaborations with Boys Noize and Rustie. Since signing with Lex, GILA’s released a pair of EPs; 2019’s Trench Tones and 2020’s Three Riders.
As a DJ GILA has shared stages with Metro Boomin, Telefon Tel Aviv and fellow Lucky Me alumni Rustie & Hudson Mohawke.

Becoming Real ist ein britischer Elektronikproduzent aus Kopenhagen. Seine neue EP ist beeinflusst von Grime, Cyberpunk und Ambient Dream Music, kombiniert mit einem detaillierten und fesselnden Sounddesign, das fragmentierte Geisterbilder leere Städte der Zukunft heraufbeschwört. Für Fans con Arca, Burial, Four Tet, Varg, HKE und Murlo. Seit seiner ersten Veröffentlichung 2010 hat er mehrerer EPs und Alben auf Transgressive Records herausgebracht, was ihm Aufmerksamkeit von u.a. The Guardian - ‘New Band Of The Week’ und NME - ‘Radar’ einbrachte. Zudem hatter er Auftritte beim Great Escape, Leeds Festival und in der Royal Albert Hall und tourte in Europa/ UK mit SBTRKT, Salem, Grimes und Mount Kimbie.

GILA ist ein Electro-Produzent aus Denver, Colorado. Auf seiner neuen EP "Trench Tones" stellt er seinen vielschichtigen Sound unter Beweis. Seine Ursprünge hat Kyle Reid, wie GILA mit bürgerlichem Namen heißt, im Jazz, wo er zuerst als Schlagzeuger tätig war. Durch eine Verletzung musste er die Sticks jedoch bei Seite legen und begann ab da Musik auf seinem Laptop zu produzieren. Erste Aufmerksamkeit erlange GILA 2012 mit dem Rap-Duo Gorgeous Children; es folgten Solotracks und ein Beitrag auf XL Recordings' "Chapter VI"-Compilation.

Instrumental version of debut album from Andrew Hung Will appeal to fans of Fuck Buttons as the first instrumental, electronic and beat driven music by Andrew since 2015.

As co-founder of Fuck Buttons; the highly-influential electronic duo, Andrew Hung has toured extensively with headline shows at the Kentish Town Forum, Glastonbury and Greenman Festivals, been featured on the 2012 Olympics

opening ceremony and all three albums have featured as Best New Music on Pitchfork. His production work has included Zun Zun Egui’s “Shackles Gift” and co-writing/

co-producing the critically acclaimed “Kidsticks” by Beth Orton. In 2016 he soundtracked the multiple-award winning film “The Greasy Strangler”, and was

nominated for Best Soundtrack at the Empire Awards. In 2018 he soundtracked director Jim Hoskins’ follow up to “The Greasy Strangler”; “An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn” starring Aubrey Plaza and Jermaine Clement. His debut solo

album, ‘Realisationship’ was released via Lex Records in 2017.

As co-founder of Fuck Buttons; the highly-influential noise-electronic duo, Andrew Hung has toured extensively with headline shows at the Kentish Town Forum, Glastonbury and Greenman Festivals, been featured on the

2012 Olympics opening ceremony and all three albums have featured as Best New Music on Pitchfork Media. His production work has included Zun Zun Egui's 'Shackles Gift' and cowriting/

co-producing the critically acclaimed 'Kidsticks' by Beth Orton. In 2016 he soundtracked the multiple-award winning film 'The Greasy Strangler ', and was nominated for Best Soundtrack at the Empire Awards. His debut solo

album, Realisationship was released via Lex records in October 2017. An Evening With Beverly Luff Linn is the soundtrack to Jim Hosking's directorial follow up to The Greasy Strangler and stars Aubrey Plaza, Jemaine Clement,

Emile Hirsch, Craig Robinson and Matt Berry.

Eyedress Ist Das Pseudonym Des Philippinischen Künstlers Idris Vicuña, Ehemals Leadgitarrist Der Psychedelic-indie-noise-pop-band Bee Eyes Aus Manila.
Idris Veröffentlichte Seine Erste Solo-platte Mit Dem Titel "hearing Colors" Im Jahr 2013. Von Musik-blogs Gefeiert, Führte Dies Zu Seinem Ersten Plattenvertrag Beim Xl Recordings Verlag Abeano. Später Im Gleichen Jahr Veröffentlichte Eyedress Seine Ep "supernatural", Die Von Medien Wie The Guardian Und Nme Viel Lob Erhielt. 2016 Veröffentlichte Er Sein Zweites Album "shapeshifter" Auf Seinem Eigenen Label Babe Slayer.
Nun Ist Er Unter Vertrag Bei Dem Britischen Label Lex Records Und Veröffentlichte 2017 Sein Drittes Album "manila Ice", Ein Album Über Liebe Und Überleben Auf Den Philippinen.
Sein Neustes Album - sensitive G Wird Von Einer Ausführlichen Us Tour Begleitet Und Erscheint Im November.

South London producer Paul White and Florida vocalist/rapper Eric Biddines have joined forces to form new duo Golden Rules. Their debut album of soulful, psychedelic hiphop features Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) and its sound recalls Outkast and Cee-Lo.
Golden Rules have already seen radio support from BBC Radio 1's Huw Stephens, plus 6 Music's Gilles Peterson, Tom Ravenscroft, and Mary Anne Hobbs, while key online hip-hop sites such as The Source and 2 Dope Boyz have been quick to recommend the group. Paul White has been described by the Independent as a 21st Century DJ Shadow', counts Madlib and Diplo among his fans and is best known for his production for the likes of Danny Brown and Charli XCX. Newcomer Eric Biddines has built a career in Florida and his last video received heavy rotation on MTV Jams, but this is his first step on the international stage.

Created in an industrial workplace in Leyton, where Canary Wharf punctures the skyline, Circle Traps craft music made in the image of the modern city. The group consists of Jack Wyllie, Duncan Bellamy and Will Ward and was formed in East London in 2010 and quickly scored their first release on fellow East Londoner Subeena's Opit Records in early 2011. Their eponymous debut EP earned serious critical praise from the likes of The Wire, Quietus and Fact Magazine. Their attention to ambient textures is reminiscent of Actress and Daniel Lopatin, but their unique, multi-layered, crystalline vision is consistently offset by dance floor impulses that nod to Detroit through the likes of Model 500 and Derrick May. The Machine City EP is a lush amalgamation of textural, distorted melody and bassier dance floor leanings.

Neon Neon (Gruff Rhys & Boom Bip) present their new album, Praxis Makes Perfect, the follow up to 2008's Mercury Music Prize nominated Stainless Style.

Praxis Makes Perfect is a musical biopic of Italian Publisher, Giangiacomo Feltrinelli's colourful life viewed through the lens of Gruff Rhys' highly original sound writing and Boom Bip's shimmering synth-heavy production.

Guests on this album include two previous Neon Neon co-conspirators in Josh Klinghoffer of Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Cardiff's Cate Le Bon, plus Italian pop sensation Sabrina Salerno and actress Asia Argento.
1. Praxis Makes Perfect 2. The Jaguar 3.Dr. Zhivago 4. Hoops with Fidel 5. Hammer & Sickle 6. Shopping (I Like To) 7. Mid Century Modern Nightmare 8. The Leopard 9.Listen to the Rainbow 10. Ciao Feltrinelli.

BONUS CD (With CDX version) 1. Years of Lead 2. Fuga in Avanti 3. Socalism at Sea (Take in the sails, head into the wind) 4. Non Aligned States.

On Chuck Strangers’ latest opus, Glory Of The King’s Hand, he raps, “I still rap from the perspective of my government name…” The stage name “Chuck Strangers” is, of course, an alias but it’s not necessarily an alter ego. For the man born Che Jessamy, his rap moniker isn’t some over-the-top rock star persona contrived for public consumption, it’s just a name. What you hear on his records is really who he is - a heavy-tongued griot from East Flatbush, Brooklyn with a gift for vivid stream-of-consciousness storytelling. His bars are imbued with the wisdom he’s gained in his lifetime - especially in the 14 years since he first made his debut with the Pro Era collective.


The elaborate title of his new album, Glory Of The King’s Hand, speaks to his gratitude for the hand that life’s dealt him, which is a pretty good one. At age 34, he does what he loves professionally and does it on his own terms. That’s something to be thankful for.


Glory Of The King’s Hand, not only represents Chuck’s matured attiGlory attitude but also his matured sound. Key to this refined approach was tude collaboration. Chuck is a proficient beatmaker in his own right as evidenced by his production for himself and artists like Joey Baevidenced Badass, and Boldy James. But this time around Chuck chose to be a dass, producer in the Quincy Jones sense of the word, bringing together vocalists, producers, and musicians instead of handling all of the beats and rhymes himself. d Up Reprise


The list of contributing producers is a who’s who of underground sound scientists including The Alchemist, Animoss, Theravada, Kensound Kenny Segal, Preservation, Child Actor, and Morriarchi.

There is a kinetic energy that binds drummer and producer Karriem Riggins and singer-songwriter, rapper, and producer Liv.e, the spark that happens when instinct meets flow and spirit finds rhythm.

Their collaborative debut as GENA (short for “God Energy, Naturally Amazing,” and loosely inspired by Gina from Martin), The Pleasure Is Yours feels like a playful, soulful conversation between two kindred improvisers: Liv.e’s smoky, unpolished vocals glide through Riggins’ warm, percussive universe. Rooted in jazz, soul, and hip-hop, Liv.e brings a raw, experimental approach to R&B, while Riggins known for his work with Common, Erykah Badu, The Roots, Madlib, and his close kinship with J Dilla, extends his lifelong dialogue between jazz improvisation and beat science.

Together they create a world that’s analog and ethereal, percussive and poetic, bridging eras without settling in one, the sound of two artists finding a new shared language rooted in rhythm, vulnerability, and exuberance.

Pressed on 180g vinyl, the album comes in an embossed sleeve and is avaible in red and black splatter.

"I decided to just let myself go," Zzzahara says of their new record, 'Spiral Your Way Out' "I think I finally came to this acceptance that I don't have to be perfect. I want to be a good role model to my fans and stuff like that, but I also don't want to hide who I am." Zzzahara's music wades into the deep waters of love, lust, and self-discovery in a part of the world where artifice and authenticity co-exist. Emerging from the heart of LA's alternative music scene, their sound is raw in feeling and rebellious by nature.

Their 2022 debut album, Liminal Spaces, chronicles a coming- of- age in Highland Park, following painful childhood memories through to late- night, live- fast coping mechanisms, and the changes the neighbourhood has endured over the same period of time. Their 2023 follow- up, Tender, marked a period of slowing down, looking inward, and embracing a softer side of being. 'Spiral Your Way Out' sees Zzzahara evolve again. Emotionally, its foundations are built on scorched earth.

The album finds Zzzahara in the aftermath of a relationship spent trying to fit someone else's mould, being jerked around by indecision, and then hitting "emotional rock bottom." Made in a three-month burst that let all their pent-up frustrations loose, 'Spiral Your Way Out' is in part a work of self-reclamation, swapping there 2nd album Tender's meditative state for something fiery and more assertive. The new album marks another sonic evolution as much as an emotional one. Zzzahara's songs have always come wrapped in a warm glow that reflects how they were written -namely at home in their bedroom.

That glow remains on 'Spiral Your Way Out', but it also packs an ambitious streak and a gutsy punch. Taking a more collaborative approach than usual, Zzzahara worked with a range of producers including Jorge Elbrecht (Japanese Breakfast, No Joy, Sky Ferreira), Sarah Tudzin (boygenius / Cloud Nothings / The Armed), former Ducktails guitarist Alex Craig (Jelani Aryeh / re6ce) and Halsey tour drummer Franco Reid, who helped harness their intimate style of writing and blow it up into something more panoptic. After a year of upheaval, Zzzahara finally feels "calm." The musical equivalent to going several rounds on a punching bag, 'Spiral Your Way Out' finds solace between extremes. It licks its wounds in a place where pain and love, healing and abandon, sit side-by-side. If it has a message, it's one of standing tall in your own shoes - scuffs and all.

“My auntie asked me what’s my path?” spits Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon on his debut from the celebrated Lex Records. The lyric relatably references the cross roads he’s at in his current life, especially as someone right on the cusp of rap stardom. “Recently I’ve been thinking more and more about what comes next in my life,” the artist reveals.


It’s fair to say Ogbon’s Lex LP features less of the sh*t-talking court jester of old. Instead, there’s more of an imperfect man re-examining past mistakes so he can avoid any future forks in the road. There’s a particular focus on overcoming heartbreak, inspiring Ogbon to admit he’s haunted by an ex so badly he now needs to call up the Ghostbusters for assistance.

Since emerging in the late 2010s, Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon has consistently lit up America’s underground rap scene and this is thanks to a refreshingly honest writing style. Amid the exquisitely wavy strings of 2021’s The Missing Link / The Sneaky Link, for example, he rapped: “Everyone thinks they’re player, until their bitch doesn’t come home.” Biting and snappy, the nasally vocals carry the playful verve of comedian Richard Pryor bravely excavating personal Demons to solicit giggles.

All this brash, wry Redman-inspired storytelling continues on the new project. Its first single is titled I’m Signed to Lex, Now I’m Up – a name that mirrors what a big moment releasing a project on the label that once housed MF DOOM represents for Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon’s legacy. “I’m really driven by being able to level up and give my family more financial freedom,” he hopes.
And, if auntie asked what his path was right now, what exactly would the rapper say? Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon concludes: “Auntie: this rapping thing feels like it’s finally about to pay off!”

"Key To The Kuffs has aged into excellence in the nearly five years since it first came out" Pitchfork

"On paper, a full collaborative album from NYC's notorious rap villain DOOM and space-age production from Jneiro Jarel can't fail. In practice, it's even better. DOOM is in the form of his life here." Mojo

"Here be GMOs and dead Indians and food and water as a 'secure investment' and an earthquake in Iceland and a discourse on melanin. Here also be the priceless couplet: 'Not to interrupt / But anybody else notice time speeding up?'" 9/10 Robert Cristgau, VICE

“I've always dreamed of making an album where I could bring together artists I deeply admire, curating voices, energies, and sensibilities that have inspired me,” says Brussels-born producer and multidisciplinary artist ShunGu of his new record, Faith in the Unknown. “It took time, and it grew into something very human, rooted in trust, patience, and creative risk. These songs are conversations, not just between me and the artists, but between worlds, eras, and ways of feeling.”
That spirit of dialogue and discovery is what defines Faith in the Unknown. Emerging from years of steady, meticulous work in the underground, the album is both a bold statement of identity and an invitation into Shungu’s world. Across 14 tracks, each a self-contained vignette, ShunGu guides the listener through shifting moods and perspectives- moments of intimacy, defiance, reflection and release, coalescing into a much larger story.
His distinct touch threads through the surefire cast of collaborators - Pink Siifu, Liv.e, Fly Anakin, Chester Watson, Fatima, Maxo, Navy Blue, Dreamcastmoe, Ruqqiyah, Zekeultra and Goya Gumbani — each track unfolding as a new dimension in the same universe.
ShunGu has long been a boundary-pusher, known for weaving jazz-inflected samples, skilfully constructed textures, and MPC-driven grooves into production that feels timeless yet untethered. With Faith in the Unknown he pushes further still: a project as much about collective energy as it is about personal vision. It’s a leap into uncertainty, carried by trust in the process and the people involved.
From the lo-fi beat tapes that first won him a cult following, to collaborations that span the globe, Shungu has forged a body of work rooted in exploration and community. Faith in the Unknown crystallises those qualities into his most ambitious statement yet; a record that doesn’t just blur boundaries between genres, but asks what happens when vulnerability and experimentation are treated as shared ground.
The result is a record that trades in subtlety. Each artistic contribution adds its own shade to the larger mosaic, pulling the listener deeper into an expanding narrative. If Faith in the Unknown has a message, it’s that art can thrive in uncertainty - that in the spaces where trust, risk, and vulnerability intersect, something entirely new can emerge.

Fly Anakin is a rapper and producer who approaches his craft in a way few contemporaries can. Vigilant yet unorthodox, DIY-minded yet prolific, the Richmond, Virginia multihyphenate’s razor-sharp lyrics, ear for soulful production, and collaborative synergy are the result of over a decade of fundamental mastery. Described by Madlib as “one of the illest MCs,” the Mutant Academy cofounder was in his pocket well ahead of his acclaimed solo debut, Frank (2022). After years of consistent releases with his collective, Anakin broke major ground in 2020 with his and Pink Siifu’s joint project FlySiifu’s, followed by their $mokebreak EP in 2021. A student of the East Coast’s golden age, Anakin transmutes its spirit into music that’s both classicist and pioneering, having worked with the likes of Freddie Gibbs, redveil, BbyMutha, and MAVI. With the release of a Mutant Academy debut album completed, and his solo album (The) Forever Dream imminent, Anakin has cemented his place as a leader in rap’s underground Renaissance.(The) Forever Dream commemorates a new era of freedom for Anakin, who rarely approaches bodies of work without a preconceived concept. Executive produced by Quelle Chris, the project, which features the likes of Denmark Vessey, The Alchemist, BbyMutha, and Pink Siifu, includes songs that Anakin believes are some of his most experimental and ambitious. “The album is me and Quelle kicking it, smoking, learning each other, and playing video games,” he says of the project’s inspiration and recording process. “It was time to make some mindless music, to tackle production I would’ve otherwise picked up.” The long anticipated project comes after years of Anakin and Quelle developing a strong rapport, stemming back to 2019. “Quelle is one of the best collaborators ever—he’s not biased but he knows what he likes, open minded but stubborn at the right times,” Anakin says of his collaborative relationship with the Grammy nominated producer. “On the low we just alike but polar opposites, we can do no wrong together.”